Machine for washing and steaming edible nuts



Sept. 28, 1943.

J. MEYER E NUTS MACHINE FOR WASHING AND STEAMING EMBL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fnd Apr-11 2'?, 1942 FIGA.

F'IG.2.

JNVENTOR. L.Eo J. MEYER 6 r Tam/Er Spt. 28,l 1943; L J. MEYER f 2,330,505

MACHINE FOR WASHING AND' STAMING EDIVBLE NUTS Filed April 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 28, 1943 MCHINE FOR WASHNG AND* STEAMING EDIBLE NUTS Leo J. Meyer, San Antonio, Tex., assignor to The Champion Pecan Machine Company,

San

Antonio, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application April 27, 1942, Serial No. 440,638

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to machines for preparing pecans and other edible nuts for shell-cracking operations, and more specifically to an improved machine for washing and for steaming and humidifying edible nuts in order to remove mud and other foreign matter from the surfaces of the shells of the nuts and for preparing the nuts so as to facilitate separation of the shells from the meats of the nuts when the nuts are subsequently subjected to shell-cracking operations, the predominant object of the vinvention being to provide a machine of this type. which because of its unique and improved construction and arrangement, is capable of performing its intended function in an improved and highly efficient manner.

Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of the improved machine of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 4 -4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, longitudinal section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, only the drum and closeli associated parts of the machine being illustrated.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in section taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, vertical section taken through the hopper and a portion of the drum of the machine.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken through the hopper of the machine but showing the closure member of said hopper in a closed position.

l In the drawings, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designatesV theimproved machine generally. The machine A comprises a supporting frame which includes four upright corner members I disposed in rectangular relation, said upright members having secured thereto at their lower ends suitable base members 2 which rest upon the floor or other support by which the machine is supported. At the upper ends thereof the upright members I have secured thereto an upper frame portion which comprises a pair of opposed side members 3 which are joined at their forward ends by a front member li, said upper frame portion being extended for- Cil wardly beyond the positions of the forward; upfright frame members I, as is shown to the best advantage in that Fig. 1. The frame of the machine A includes, also, a pair of opposed, horizontal members 5 which are secured to the pairs of upright members I at opposite sides of the machine through the instrumentality of suitable tie plates 6, and opposed, vertically disposed members lare arranged at opposite sides ofthe frame of the machine and are secured at their lower and upper ends to the base members 2 and horizontal members 5 Aby suitable tie plates 8.` Additionally, the frame of the machine includes opposed, Vertical members 9 which extend between andare secured to the side members 3 of the upper frame portion and the opposed hori zontal members 5, and tie elements I0 and II are provided which tie together, respectively, the

- opposed, rear upright membersI and the opposed vertical members l.

Supported for rocking movement by the main frame of the machine is a cradle I2 which includes at its forward end an annular member I3 formed from an appropriately shaped angle bar. Welded or otherwise secured to the annular member I3 at their forward ends, and extended rear-f wardly therefrom, is a pair of opposed, angle bar' members lli which are joined at their rear ends by a similar angle bar member I5 (Fig. 7). The cradle I2 is supported for rocking'movement by the main frame of the machine A through the instrumentality of elements I6 and Il which are the opposed, horizontal members 5 ofthe mainy frame of the machine, whereby said cradle may be subjected to pivotal movement relative to theu main frame of the machine.

The cradle I2, supports av drum 2i for rocking movement therewith and for rotary movement with respect thereto, said drum being provided with a main annular wall 2 Ia, a tapered forward wall portion 2lb, and a bowed rear wall portion 2Ic formed integral to provide a unitary drumy The drum 2I has welded 'ori structure (Fig. 6). otherwise secured to its rear wall 2Ic a flanged element 2.2 which is provided with a rearwardly extended trunnion .2.3 (Fig. 5) which has a passageway 24 formed longitudinally therethrough, said passageway communicating at its inner end with an enlarged, screwthreaded opening 25 of tapered formation, formed in the inner portion of said element 22, and being open at the outer end of the trunnion 23 of said element 22. The trunnion 23 is supported for rotation by a bearing member 26 which is bolted to the rear cross member l of the cradle l2, said bearing member 26 having' associatedv therewithi. andi within same a ball bearing assembly 27 which provides, in anobvious manner, for free rotation of the trunnion 23 within the bearing member 26.

Arranged in embracing relation with respect to a portion of the trunnion 2`3' is a sleeve Z8'.- which is externally screwthreaded and abuts against the bearing member- 2t, as. shown in- Fig. 5. The sleeve 28 has associa-ted therewith an outer head 29 which is closed at its rear end" by a wall 29a and is provided: with' a. circumferential wall 2912 on which an inwardly extended, annular rib 28e is formed. The inner' fa'c'eof the. annular rib.= 29e. contacts with the outer surface of the trunnicn; 23. and. the. forward portion of. the circmnferential wall' oii the. head- 2.8 is internally screwthreaded and said serewthreads. screwthreadedly engage the lexterna-l screw--` threads ofthe` sleeve 23. Arranged. within the heads 29 in ai cavitydeimed.- by a portion of. the inner face ofthe circumferential wall. of said heads, an adacent. surface portion of the trunnion. 23;. the. rear end. portion. of thefsleeve 28, and the rib 29c,.is1 a body of packing. material 38 which may be.- compressed. by notation ofthe head: 28 ink the manner of, a stuhing box to.l prevent passage of liquid. longitudinally of the' trunnion4 23 at the outer surface.- thereof. The head 28 issupported, and. unintended; rotation. thereof is4 prevented by a plurality of arms 31 which extend rearwardly from the bear-.ing member and are provided. with, set screws 32 whose inner end portions are seated. in,Y suitablel openings formed. in said. head..

The forward. portion of the drum 2|- is sup-r ported? by the cradle l2 for rotary movement by a plirality of' rollers: 33 which. are. supported. for

rotation. on. studs which are extended from` the forward1 annular member 13 of said cradle. the peripheral faces of the rollers contacting withthe circumferential face of the wall 2.Ia ofthe drum. The' rollers are preferably arrange@ as is shown. to the best advantage in lii'g.` 4,.so as. to provide three point, rolling supportfor. the. drum. 2T, and because off the presence. ot such rollers and the balll bearing support pro-vided. for thetrunni'on. 23T of the drum by the bearing member.

said drum may rotate freel'y about its longitudinal' axis with respect to the. cradle [2L For the purpose of subjecting the drum 2`.I.` to rotary movement with respect to the cradle IZ. an elec. tri'cmotor 34 is provided which i`sV supported by a suitablebracket 3`5`that issecuredt'oan arcuate member 36 which is welded or otherwise secured to the opposed' side members I4 of the cradle. l2. The motor 34 has xedly mounted onthe. power shaft 34 thereof a sprocket pinion 31. over which asprocket chain 38' operatessai'dl sprocket chain operating also over. a relatirely large. sprocket wheel 3'9 that'. is xedly mounted on a shaft 4111 which is supported* for rotation by an elongated bearing 4T (Fig. '7). The shaft IIE-has. xedly mountedl thereon` also a gear pinion 42' which meshes with a relatively large gear wheel43 that is x'edly mounted on the trunnionl 23 as shown.

in Figs. 5- and '71 Itis obvious that rotary motion istransmitted from the motor 3'4 to the'sha'ft 4'U` throughoperation of the sprocket chain 38 over the sprocket pinion 3l and the sprocket wheel 39. Likewise rotary motion is transmitted from the shaft 40 to the trunnion 23 through cooperative action of the gear pinion 42 and the gear wheel 43 to rotate the drum 2l about its longitudinal axis with respect to the cradle l2. Also it is plain that because of the relativer diameters of the sprocket pinion 3'! and the sprocket" wheel 39, and of the gear pinion 42 and the gear wheel 43, the speed of rotation of the drum 2l is reduced substantially withrespect to the speed of operatien` of the motor 34. Additionally the bracket 3'5V which supports the motor 34 is secured to the arcuate member' 3S? by bolts 44 which extend through aperturesA formed through said arcuate member 33l and through elongated slots 44 formed through portions of the bracket 35. Because of this arrangement the bracket 35 and i the motor 34 may be adjusted upwardly when is desired` tol tighten the sprocketchain 38.. The trunnion I8 which aids in. piyotally supporting.. the cradle l2 with. respect to. the main frame. of the machine A-has. formed. longitudinally therethrough a` passageway 45' (Fig. 8) whichextenids into the associated. element t6. and is. open at. theouter. end of said trunnion. The. element l5 has connected thereto apipe 46 which. communicates with the. passageway 45 of. said.

element IG and the trunnion, t8 associated therewith9A and this pipe has. connected' theretoby au. elbow tting 41a pi'pe 48 whichis connected into the head' 29 so as to communicate. with the.

cavity 29dtherein. Likewise,` the drum has arranged therein a perforated pipe 491 whose rear end portion is screwed into the` tapered. screw threaded opening. 25 at the inner end of. the element 22 (Fig. 5) so as to be, in. communication with the passageway 24 ofsaidelement,.said pipe 49 being extended' longitudinally of' said drum. at the approximate longitudinal axis thereof. The pipe 49 is closed at its forward end' by a cap- 50- which also may be perforated if desired', and' connected' to said pipe KS' by suitable fittingsand extended laterally therefrom is a plurality communication with the section of pipe EMv is a` steam supply pipe` and a water supply pipe 58;. each of saidv pipes 5ft and' 56 having associated therewith a'hand-operated controlling valve 5T and a check valve 58'.

Supported' bythe trurmion I8 and flxed thereto' by means? of'. a'4 key 59. (Fig. 8) is an operating handle Ell' which serves the function ofV rocking the cradlel2 with; respectto` the main frame of the machine. Because the handle fill' isfl'xedly securedto-the` trunnion I8-, and because the elements lli-and Hf are'secured.. to the. opposed members: |14k of the cradle, arcuate movement of the outer portionY of the handlewillr cause the trunnions` I8l and I9 to rotate within the bearing members 2i)g secured to` the opposed', horizontal members 5 of the main frame of the machine with the result that the entire cradle t2, and

the drum: and otherv parts of the machine supported by said cradle, will be subjected to pivotal movement about said bearing members 2B. Also, in order to lock the cradle vI2 in various positionsv to which it is adjusted with the aid of the handle 60', thebearing member 20 located adjacent to said -handle is provided, with a xedly supported plate 6| which is provided with a plurality of apertures 62 arranged in spaced, arcuate relation. Additionally, the handle 6l) supports a locking pin 63 which is ,disposed in an aperture formed through saidhandle, and the inner end portion ofsaid locking pin may be introduced into an appropriate aperture 62 of the plate 6| when the cradle has beenadjusted with the aid of the handle in order to retain the cradle in the position to which it has been adjusted.

Fixed to the tapered wall 2|`b of the drum 2| at the outer end of said tapered wall is a tapered vannular member 64 of heavy cross-section to the opening at the tapered end portion of the drum 2 I. The closure member 61 has xed thereto an element 68 which is adapted to facilitate rotationof said closure member in screw-threadedly seating or unseating same, said element 68 inv cluding a base portion which is suitably secured to the closure member, an outer, annular hand grip, and spaced arms for connecting said hand grip to said base portion. Also', the closure member 61 is provided with a screwthreaded aperture formed through the outer wall thereof which receives a pet cock 6'9 that serves a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

Supported by the side members 3 'and the forward member 4 at the upper end of the main frame of the machine A is a hopper 'lil which is open at its top and isprovided with wall portions that incline downwardly and inwardly from the margin of said open top of the hopper to a point at the bottom of said hopper at which a discharge opening 1I is provided. The `hopper l!! has fixed thereto at the location ofthe discharge openingl a guide member 12 which supports for sliding movement a closure 'i3 which is in the form of a flat plate that is adapted for movement to a position where it closes the discharge opening 'H of the hopper and to a position Where said hopper opening is open for passage of nuts therethrough from the hopper. The guide member includes a wall .portion whichA is disposed against a portion of the wall of the hopper, this wall portion of the guide member having an opening 14 formed therethrough which coincides with the discharge opening 1| of the hopper, and opposed side portions of the guide member being shaped to embrace opposed side edge portions of the closure member 13 so as to support same for sliding movement. Also, the hopper has xedthereto an angular abutment 'lvwhich limits forward movement of the closure member '|3, and said closure member has secured thereto an angular element 16.

Fixed to the angular element 'l5 and projected therefrom is a rod which is extended into a tubular member 18, said tubular member being closed at one of its ends by a suitable cap 'i9 and a coil spring 8B being interposed ybetween said cap and the adjacent end of the rod il.

The tubular member T8 is supported by a member `8| which is fixed to the closure `member emmember 8| having an extension 8|' in which an opening is formed that xedly receives an end portion of said tubular member 78 as shown in Fig. 9. The support of the tubular member 'I8 is aided by an angular element 82 which is supportedby and extends from one to the other of the side members 3.

In describing the operation of the improved machine it will be assumed that the drum 2| is in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 and that the closure member 61 is removed from thev opening at the outer end of the tapered portion of said drum. It will be assumed also that the hopper has received the nuts which are to be introduced into the drum Y of the machine and that the closure member 'i3 of the hopper is in a closed position. With the situation as outlined above prevailing, the operator of the machine will rotate the handle 6D in the appropriate direction to rotate the drum 2| about its trunnions |8 and I9 so as to cause the tapered end portion of said drum to swing upwardly in an arcof a circle toward the position occupied by said tapered end portion in Fig. 9. As the tapered end portion of the drum approaches the position shown in Fig. 9, the collar 66 will contact with the angular element 'I6 which is fixed to the closure member I3 of the hopper 10, and as movement of the drum continues said-angular element and the closure member to which it is xed will be moved rearwardly to uncover the discharge opening '||r of the hopper and permit nuts contained within the hopper to pour into the interior of the drum whose opening by this time has been alined with the discharge opening of the hopper. The coil spring 80, which normally tends to retain the closure member 'I3 inthe closed position with respect to the" discharge opening of the hopper, is `compressed by rearward movement of the angular element 1E and the closure member 13 in response to movement of the drum.

When the nuts have been transferred from the hopper to the interior of the drum 2|, the handle 6|] is rotated in the reverse direction to move the' tapered portion of the drum downwardly away from the discharge opening ofthe hopper. As the tapered portion of the drum is moved away from the discharge opening of the hopper the coil springV moves the closure member 'I3 of the hopper to its closed position with respect to the discharge opening ofsaid hopper, and movement of the drum is stopped when the tapered portion of the drumL has cleared the hopper to allow the operator to screw the closure member 6! of v the drum into the opening at the outer end of the tapered portion of Vsaid drum. When the closure member of the drum has been arranged in place downward movement of said druml is continued until it reaches the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1.

The operator then `opens the valve 57 associated with the water supply pipe 55 and water flows the perforated pipe assembly t9-5| within the drum for discharge therefrom into the interior of the drum, the pet cock 69 at this time being y closed. Also, the electric motor 34 is set in opera tion to rotate the drum 2| about its major axis:

during which rotation of, the drum the circumferential'l-y spaced. and longitudinally' lextended ribs,A 83,. which are secured at; the inner face. of. the wall. of the Wilt tumble the muts. about within. the drum and wiil agitato' the water Within said' drum so as: toeiecii Washing of the nuts; When the washing operationha's continued the proper length of time the' motor 3l? is stopped andthe pet cock 69I is opened. (-thevalve' Elf or the Water supply pipel having. been previously' closedfi and the soiled Water drains from the drum through said pet cock'.

Aiter .the nuts have` beeni washedpas described above said nuts are subjected to a steaming and humidifying. action which prepares. the nuts for thel shell-cracking operatingto be subsequently performed.. In subjecting the nuts' Within the drum V2l to the steaming: and humidifyingv operationthe valve 51' of the steam supply pipe 555 is opened thereby permitting steamy to` flow through the hose 53, passageway d'5' of. trunnion I8', pipes 46 and 48, cavity 29d of head 291, passageway 24 of trunnion 23,. and pipe assembly dii-til' for discharge into the interior .of the drum. 'I 'he steam so discharged into the interior of the drum permeates the body orf nuts therein. subjecting them to the desired steaming and'. humidi-iying` action, such steaming and humidifying action being continued for a' predetermined period of time during which the pet. cock 69 remains open sotha't there will be a passage ofv steam through the entire body ofnuts to the' steam-discharge point, at which the pet' cool; is located. When thev required' steaming and' humidifying period` has elapsed the valvel 5T, which controls passageof' steam into the drum,- is. closed, and thereafter the closure member 61 orv they drum isremoved, While the drum is-in the position shown inf Fig. 1, to permit the nuts to fiow from'- the drum into a suitable receptacle arranged beneath the discharge opening thereof. During the period of steamingV and humidifying the nutscontained within the drum of the machine, the operator refills' the hopper Hl sol that as soon as a steamed and. humidiiied body of nutsI has' been discharged from the drum the operation of the machine as describedl above may be repeated.

Ii it should be desiredtoi add moisture to steam being introduced intothe drum ofthe machine during a steaming and' humidifying operation, this may be done by opening the valvev 5T of the Water supply pipe 56 tol the proper degree to permit thev desired amount of Water to iiovvl with the steam into the drum.

I claim-z I. A. machine for servicing edible nuts, comprising a main frame, a secondary frame supported by said main frame for pivotal movement with respect thereto, a drum' supported by said secondary frame for rotary movement with respect thereto and having an opening for passage of nuts into and out of said drum', a' closure member for said drum opening, means for subjectingr said drum to rotary movement, a hopper iixedly supported by said main frame andY having. a discharge opening through which nuts may pass from said hopper, said hopper opening being 1ocated immediately adjacent to the path of movement traveled by the drum' opening in response to pivotal movement of said secondary frame, a closure member for' said discharge opening of said hopper, said drum being movable to a position Where a portionthereof engages the closure member of' the discharge openingof said' hopper and movesl same toits' open position and where asocian-5 the opening of said` drum coincides with the discharge opening of said hopper for passage oi nuts from said' hopper into' said drum, and said l drum being movable to a different position Where nuts may be discharged from said drum through the opening thereof, and conducting means for discharging. into said drum nut servicing medium.

2. A machine for servicing edible' nuts, com'- prising a main frame, a secondary frame supported by said main frame' for pivotal movement with respect thereto, a drum supported by said secondary frame for rotary movement with respect thereto and having an opening for passage of nuts into and out of said drum, af closure member for said drum opening, means supported by said secondary frame for subjecting said drum to rotary movement, a hopper fixedly supported by said main frame and having a discharge open--4 ing through which nuts may pass from said hopper, said hopper opening being located immo-f diately adjacent to the path of movement traveled by the drum opening in response to pivotal movement of said secondary frame, a closure member for said discharge opening of saidhopper, said drum being movable to a position where a portion thereof engages the closure member of the discharge opening of said hopper and moves same to its open position and where the` opening of said drum coincides with the discharge opening of said hopper for passage of" nuts from said hopper into said drum', and said drum being movable to adiierent position where nuts may be discharged from said drum through the opening thereof, and conducting means for discharging into said drum nut' servicing medium.

3. A machine for servicing edible nuts, comprising a main frame, a secondary frame supported by saidmain frame for pivotal move;-4 ment with' respect thereto, a drum supported by said secondary frame for rotary movement with respect thereto and having an opening for passage of nuts into and out of said drum, a closure member for said drum opening, means' supported by said secondary frame for subjecting said drum to rotary movement, a hopper iixedly supported by said main frame and having a discharge opening through which nuts may pass from said hopper, said hopper opening' being located immediately adjacent to the path of movement traveled by the drum opening in response to pivotal movement of said secondary frame, a slid'ably supported closure member for said' discharge opening of said hopper, said drum being movable to a position where a portion thereof engages the closure member of the discharge opening of said hopper and moves same to its open position and Where the openingy of said drum coincides with the discharge opening of said hopper for passage of nuts from said hopper into said drum, and said drum being movable to a diiierent position Where nuts may be discharged from said drum through` the opening thereof, and conducting means for discharging into said drum nut servicing medium.

4. A machine for servicing edible nuts,. com-L prising a main frame, a secondary frame supported by said main frame for pivotalmovement with respect thereto, a drum supported by said secondary frame for rotary movementA With respect thereto and having an opening for passager of nuts into and outv of said drum, a closuremember for said drum opening, means supported by said secondary frame for subjecting said drum to rotary movement, a hopper Xedly supported by said main frame and having a discharge opening through Which nuts may pass from said hopper, said hopper opening being located immediately adjacent to the path Vof movement traveled by the drum opening in response to pivotal movement of said secondary frame, a slidably supported closure member for said discharge opening of said hopper, spring means for urging said closure member of the discharge opening of said hopper toward its closed position, said drum being movable to a position Where a portion thereof engages the closure member of the discharge opening Vof said hopper and moves same to its open position and Where the opening of said drum coincides with the discharge opening of said hopper for passage of nuts fromy said hopper into said drum, and said drum being movable to a different position Where nuts may be discharged from said drum through the opening thereof, and conducting means for discharging into said drum nut servicing medium.

5. A machine for servicing edible nuts, comprising a main frame, a secondary frame supported by said main frame for pivotal movement With respect thereto, a drum supported by said secondary frame for rotary movement with respect thereto and having an opening for passage of nuts into and out of said drum, a closure member for said drum opening, means for subjecting said drum to rotary movement, a hopper xedly supported by said main frame and having a discharge opening through which nuts may pass from said hopper, said hopper opening being located immediately adjacent to the path of movement traveled by the drum opening in response to pivotal movement of said secondary frame, a closure member for said discharge opening of said hopper, said drum beingmovable to a position Where a portion thereof engages the closure member of the discharge opening of said hopper and moves same to its open position and Where the opening of said drum coincides With the discharge opening of said hopper for passage of nuts from said hopper into said drum, and

CII

spect thereto and having an opening for passage of nuts into and out of said drum, a closure member for said drum opening, means for subjecting said drum to rotary movement, a hopper ixedly supported by said main frame and having a discharge opening through which nuts may pass from said hopper, said hopper opening being located immediately adjacent to the path of movement traveled by the drum opening in response to pivotal movement of said secondary frame, a closure member for said discharge opening of said hopper, said drum being movable to a position Where a portion thereof engages the closure member of the discharge opening of said said drum being movable to a different position Where nuts may be discharged from said drum through the opening thereof, and conducting means including a perforated pipe located Within said drum for discharging into said drum nut servicing medium.

6. A machine for servicing edible nuts, comprising-a main frame, a secondary frame supported by said main frame for pivotal movement with respect thereto, a drum supported by said secondary frame for rotary movement With rehopper and moves same to its open position and Where the opening of said drum coincides with the discharge opening of said hopper for passage of nuts from said hopper into said drum, and said drum being movable to a different position Where nuts may be discharged from said drum through the opening thereof, and conducting means including' an assembly of perforated pipes located Within said drum for discharging into said drum nut servicing medium.

'7. A machine for servicing edible nuts, comprising a main frame, a secondary frame supported by said main frame yfor pivotal movement with respect thereto, a drum supported by said secondary frame for rotary movement With respect thereto and having an opening for passage of nuts into and out of said drum, a closure member for said drum opening,`means for subjecting said drum to rotary movement, a hopper xedly supported by said main frame and having a discharge opening through which nuts may pass from said hopper, said hopper opening being located immediately adjacentl to the path of movement traveled by the drum opening in response to pivotal movement of said secondary frame, a closure member for said discharge opening of said hopper, said drum being movable to a position Where a portion thereof engages the closure member of the discharge opening of said hopper and moves same to its open position and Where the opening of said drum coincides with the discharge opening of said hopper for passage of nuts from said hopper into said drum, and said drum being movable to a different position where nuts may be discharged from said drum through the opening thereof, conducting means for discharging into said drum nut servicing medium, and a water supply pipe and a steam supply pipe both of Which communicate with said conducting means and4 form parts thereof.

LEO J. MEYER. 

